4 things we learned as Kotoko pip CARA Brazzaville

It was an electrifying atmosphere- an air of forced gaiety. The match produced all there was for one to expect in a game of football- exciting, intriguing and spellbindingly competitive.

The game produced five penalties- four to Asante Kotoko, the host and one to CARA Brazzaville, the visitors.

Yakubu Mohammed’s penalty was the difference in the end but before his goal, Asante Kotoko had missed three penalty kicks with Saddick Adams, Amos Frimpong and Baba Mahama the culprits. The home team were more than worth their victory.

Here are four things we learned from the match….

1. Saddick Adams Fails To Make an Impression

It wasn’t all good news yesterday for the Porcupine Warriors with Saddick Adams once again failing to make a meaningful impact.

Up against a hard-working CARA defence, the former Brekum Chelsea striker failed to find any space but perhaps more worryingly, he failed to make any impact in the area. Famed for his ability to pop-up with crucial goals as witnessed against Hearts of Oak in the FA Cup finals in Tamale, those late runs, hold-up play that characterized his play last term have all but dried up recently, and that is a major concern for Steve Pollack.

Adams missed a glorious opportunity to put Kotoko ahead in the early minutes of the first half when he missed a penalty. He is a good player but at the moment, his form doesn’t warrant a starting place for Asante Kotoko

2. Everything To Play For In The Second League

CARA Brazzaville will be the more satisfied of the two teams at the midway point of this tie, with Kotoko scheduled to visit Brazzaville in a weeks’ time. The Congolese have generally been strong at home in their domestic league- winning two out of two; scoring three conceding none. Kotoko on the other hand are expected to go into the game with a strategy to thwart all efforts of the Congolese as to realise their dream of advancing to the next phase of the competition. There is everything still to play for.

3. CARA Struggle To Break Down Well- Organised Unit

Cara Brazzaville knew that only a good result would do on Sunday afternoon in Kumasi, but they lacked a sense of urgency in the opening period. This was partly a result of Kotoko’s excellent defensive setup, which denied their opponents space between the lines and in behind, but CARA also required a great deal more incision in their passing.

Instead, the ball was moved harmlessly from one flank to the other via the centre of the pitch, which meant the Congolese struggled to get themselves into dangerous areas. They did manage a single shot in the first half and that was expertly saved by Kotoko’s netminder Felix Annan They improved a little after the break, but that seemed to come at the cost of their own defensive shape. They had a penalty in the half but once again Felix Annan saved the kick. Felix Annan was relatively untroubled from open play.

4. Boahene Again Sparkles In Central Roles

Pollack again went with the 4-2-3-1 formation here, fielding Kwame Boahene behind Saddick Adams. The attacking midfielder was superb once again, finding pockets of space between the lines and dribbling past opponents at will at the centre of the pitch. As well as taking the shot which hit the cross bar in the first half. He was typically elusive with his movement both in and out of possession, with visiting midfielders Bomanyae Liema Dicha and Filanckembo Lopez struggling to get a handle on him throughout. On this form, there are few better locally than Boahene.

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